NEW YORK – Novak Djokovic was cruising with a big early lead in his US Open four-round match on Sunday night when his neck began to plague him. That didn’t stop Djokovic from dominating qualifiers Jan Leonard Struff 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 in the 144th rank.
Djokovic has now reached the quarterfinals in all majors for the ninth of his career, breaking his ties with Roger Federer for every man or woman in the open era.
Djokovic, 38, is the oldest player to arrive at the US Open Quarter Finals since Jimmy Connors, who turned 39 in the 1991 tournament. Djokovic is the oldest quarterfinalist in any major since Wimbledon’s 39-year-old Federer in 2021.
“What has given me so much encouragement now is the way I played tonight,” Djokovic said. “The best performance of the tournament so far. Hopefully we can continue with that.”
Djokovic was ahead at 15 years old 4-0 when he hit the high-angle volley winner to raise 30 love in that game. The 24-time Grand Slam champion quickly grabbed the back of his neck and began to turn his head.
Djokovic, 38, continued to try to stretch his neck and bend his right shoulder between points, and he continued to drop that game and the next one. However, he quickly regained the edge over Straff, who was trying to reach the main quarterfinals for the first time, beating Frances Tierfoe in the previous round.
After improving to 8-0 against Struff, Jjokovic holds a 10-0 head-to-head record in his quarter final on Tuesday against 2024 US Open runner-up Taylor Fritz.
“I hope that players who have never beat me will come on the court and try something different and feel probably uncomfortable and be more aggressive or try and play anything,” Djokovic said. “I don’t think there’s a big change in Taylor because obviously you’re stuck with something like a game plan that takes you to your quarters and know what your strengths are.
Bracket’s last American man, No. 4 seed Fritz, moved to the quarterfinals on Sunday with a straight set victory over No. 21 Thomas Machuk.
“I think the problem has expanded over the years. I played him the first seven or eight times. I probably wouldn’t be enough player to have that many opportunities unless I had the best day I’ve ever had and he had a bad day,” Fritz said. “I think it was just the last few times we’ve played. I think I was this great player who could compete and say he has a chance.”
After Jjokovic finished its opening set against Struff, he was visited by the trainer for treatment during the subsequent switch. Djokovic was given a massage on his neck and shoulders.
If he was still uncomfortable, his play was not affected at all. During the break after that set, Djokovic massaged his right forearm. But again, when the ball was playing there were no signs of trouble.
Djokovic also had his trainers take on him in the first half of the tournament. This included blisters with feet loaded in the first round and a third lower number.
He won four championships in New York, most recently in 2023.
ESPN research and Associated Press contributed to this report.
